"$2.6 million: That's the amount the new Gun Lake Casino will pay out to local and state governments in revenue sharing after its first two months of operation. Of that amount, $515,871 will go to local governments and $2.1 million will go to the state for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. $3.1 million and $12.4 million: That's what local and state governments are projected to receive this year if gambling levels continue at this rate at the Gun Lake Casino through the year.

The revenue sharing money is in addition to the salaries paid to casino employees and the increase in business at restaurants, stores, hotels and motels and other attractions in the area surrounding the casino.

A similar amount could be poured into Muskegon County governmental operations, too, but the proposal by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians to build a casino here is stalled.

Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm initialed a compact with the tribe in 2010 to develop a casino at the former Great Lakes Downs racetrack, but the proposal never got the legislative approval it need. Now it's in governmental limbo with a new governor and new Legislature."

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Editorial: There's money to be made: Muskegon County casino proposal deserves action (The Muskegon Chronicle 6/8)